We’ve reached the end, the big reveal – our pick for the Most Valuable Trojan of 2015.

Links to the other 14 MVP candidates can be found at the bottom of this post. And, one last time, here’s the criteria used in compiling the ranking:

1. The primary factors in determining value include projected role and production; depth at an MVP candidate’s position; the player’s overall talent and expected impact on the success of the team; and intangible traits such as leadership and toughness.

2. Incoming freshmen and transfers were not considered. Although several might emerge as extremely valuable pieces, as was the case last season, it’s impossible to predict how impactful they’ll be in Year 1. Besides, this exercise is subjective enough already.

A funny thing happened on the way to this week’s Pac-12 Power Rankings: We had a near-consensus. Despite voting independently – and having differing opinions on matters ranging from football to fashion – UCLA beat writer Ryan Kartje, Register colleges editor Todd Bailey and I turned in almost identical ballots. A case of great minds thinking alike? Or is the Pac-12 finally settling? It’s dangerous to assume the latter, especially this year in this sport. So let’s not draw any conclusions just yet.

1. OREGON (8-1, 5-1 PAC-12; PREVIOUS RANK: 1)

Well, maybe we can draw this particular conclusion. Oregon appears to be the class of the conference and is just one win away from representing the North Division in the Pac-12 Championship Game. Additionally, over the course of the Ducks’ five-game winning streak, Marcus Mariota seems to have re-emerged as the Heisman Trophy front-runner. It’s hard to play better than Mariota has: 26-2 TD-INT ratio, 68.1 percent completion rate, 10.2 yards per attempt, 187.2 efficiency rating and oh, by the way, 410 rushing yards and 7 rushing TDs.

2. ARIZONA STATE (7-1, 5-1; PREV. RANK: 2)

The Sun Devils are better than Kartje and Bailey thought. They’re better defensively than anyone thought after their tackling-is-optional performance against UCLA. They’re in the top 10 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings – with a chance to move up even higher with a victory over No. 10 Notre Dame. All this despite Taylor Kelly being just OK since returning from injury.

Welcome to the just-about-midseason version of Pac-12 Power Rankings. If it seems as if we just threw all the schools in a blender, well, that’s the kind of season it has been. As always, the Power Rankings are voted on by yours truly, UCLA beat reporter Ryan Kartje and our editor, Todd Bailey. The comments this week are mine.

1. OREGON (5-1, 2-1 PAC-12; PREVIOUS RANK: 2)

The Ducks are back where they belong. They are the clear class of this conference if their offensive line can stay in one piece. Also, in case you haven’t heard, Marcus Mariota is amazing. Just when you thought that dive over the pylon would be his signature moment, his self-scoop-and-score against UCLA tops it. Smooth, man. Smooth.

2. STANFORD (4-2, 2-1; PREV. RANK: 4)

Kartje and Bailey are more bullish on the Cardinal than I am, but I can see where they’re coming from. Stanford beat Washington at Washington and clubbed Washington State. The Cardinal defense remains stout. The offense remains hard to watch at times. We’ll find out a lot about Stanford – and Arizona State – Saturday night.

One of Steve Sarkisian’s goals during training camp is to develop contingency plans in case of injuries. The idea is to prepare for those what-if scenarios now so that players have some repetitions at different positions.

USC found out Sunday night that it wouldn’t have projected starting outside linebacker Jabari Ruffin this season because of a torn ACL in his left knee. Monday afternoon, the coaching staff implemented some alternatives.

Sophomore Quinton Powell took most of the snaps at Ruffin’s “Sam” linebacker spot. Additionally, sophomore safety Su’a Cravens played what he called “nickel Sam” – a hybrid position that puts Cravens near the line of scrimmage.

“I like to make plays,” Cravens said. “The closer I am to the ball, the better chance I have of doing it.”

Cravens said the way the coaching staff deployed him Monday was similar to how it used Shaq Thompson at Washington. Their dimensions are almost identical: Thompson is 6-1, 228, while Cravens is 6-1, 225.

* The offense had kind of a sluggish day, including three interceptions. Two came off drops, while the other was the result of a wrong route. Coach Steve Sarkisian also wants the offense to play at a faster tempo.